2nd December 2019
Ad Clerum – December 2019
Ad Clerum
Rhagfyr 2 December 2019
Annwyl Gyfeillion,
I am very conscious of the quality of light in these days when the nights are drawing in. If we have a fine day, the light in winter nevertheless seems sharper and clearer than the rich golden light of summer, and brief, of course. The evenings draw in, and we live more of our lives in the darkness. Jesus described himself as the Light of the World (John 9.5), and in the Prologue to John, the evangelist writes: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1.5), and the symbolism of Christ as light seems all the more appropriate in the Advent season.
Scripture is clear – the light of God shines upon us consistently. It does not fade according to the seasons, or our moods; it persists in good times and bad, whether we can appreciate it or not, it is released upon us even when we feel closed off from it.
To turn to God in prayer is to search for the light, to put out the feelers of the soul for the uncreated light, which like the sunlight when our eyes are closed, we can feel more by its warmth than by direct vision. This is the inner light of the Spirit that comes to assist us in seeing God clearly, and to see the things of the world in proportion and as they really are.
I pray that God may grant all of us a vision of the uncreated Light in our observance of Advent this year. May the light of God’s grace shine upon you, and grant you blessing.
Hwyl a Helo
Vyrnwy and Tanat Valley Mission Areas will be reconfigured into one united mission area in the new year. We thank Hermione Morris for her ministry as Mission Area Leader of Vyrnwy which she will be laying down at the end of January as the new mission area comes into existence.
Following dedicated ministry in Cedewain and latterly Pool, Esther Yates has decided to retire from NSM ministry as from the end of November and now holds my Permission to Officiate. We thank Esther and wish her well in this new expression of her ministry.
The Order of St Asaph
It is now time to start inviting nominations for the Order of St Asaph in 2020 as we seek to recognise and honour the outstanding contribution of lay persons at diocesan level, particularly at an appropriate point on the completion of service in a particular way or in a particular role. Admission to the order is marked by the presentation of appropriate insignia, and those admitted to the order are listed on the diocesan website.
It has been decided that in future the Order will be conferred on the first Saturday in May at the special service in the Cathedral to mark our patron, St. Asaph. As the 2020 service will be on Saturday, May 2nd, nominations are now invited and these will need to be received at Esgobty by the end of February using the form, detailing as much information as possible about a candidate’s contribution to the diocese. All members of the Teulu Asaph, whether clerical or lay, are encouraged to make nominations, which can also be submitted through any diocesan council or committee.
Understandably there are those who have offered sterling service to the church within a church / mission area context. Whilst the Order of St Asaph is intended to recognize diocesan service, I am happy to be approached about someone’s outstanding contribution to local church life and issue a certificate that can be used for a local presentation by the particular church/mission area. Please contact Michael at Esgobty in the first instance with appropriate details for me to consider.
Diary
The following engagements are intended for either office holders as indicated or for the support of all clergy. Please record the following particularly in your 2020 diaries as professional commitments: the Clergy Synods, Chrism Eucharist, Service to mark the Centenary of Disestablishment, Ordinations and Diocesan Conference.
December
10 December 18:30 Advent Confirmation (Cathedral)
2020
19 January 15:30 Licensing of David Lewis as MAL of Bryn a Môr (Llanasa)
23 January Clergy Synod (all day)
02 February Licensing of Jeanette Wilkes as a Priest-in-Charge in Cedewain Mission Area (St Beuno’s, Betws Cedewain)
09 February 15:30 Licensing of Kathryn Evans as a Priest-in-Charge in Estuary and Mountain Mission Area (Ss. Mary & Peter, Bagillt)
12 March Mission Area Leader Training Day, Llyndir Hall, Rossett
09 April 11:00 Chrism Eucharist & lunch (Cathedral)
11 April Easter Vigil and Confirmation (Cathedral)
02 May 11:00 Patronal Festival of St Asaph (Cathedral) including admissions to Order of St Asaph.
31 May 15.30 Pentecost Confirmation (Cathedral)
07 June 15:30 Diocesan Service to Mark the Centenary of Disestablishment (Cathedral)
27 June 10:00 Ordination of Priests (Cathedral)
04 July 10:00 Ordination of Deacons (Cathedral)
24 September Clergy Synod (all day)
10 October Diocesan Conference (Glyndŵr University)
19 November Mission Area Leader Training Day, Llyndir Hall, Rossett
09 December 18:30 Advent Confirmation (Cathedral)
2021
20-23 September Clergy Residential School at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire.
Notes & Queries
Church in Wales Centenary Appeal
The Church in Wales has launched a Centenary Appeal as we mark one hundred years of a disestablished Church in Wales in 2020. Please give the Appeal serious consideration in your mission areas:
Church near me
The Diocese has launched a new section of the website – churchnearme.co.uk – which provides information about each church in the diocese, searchable by postcode (or town) and Mission Area. We’d like to add information about Christmas services to the site, so we can promote each of our churches. Please could you send details about Christmas services and WELSH services to the diocesan Communications Officer, Karen Maurice by 10 December.
Confirmations 2020
In the calendar above you will see details of the three annual diocesan confirmations (Advent, the Easter Vigil and Pentecost) to be held in the cathedral in the remaining period of 2019 and 2020. I invite mission areas to start planning their confirmation requirements for next year, either individually or in partnership with neighbouring mission areas. Those wishing to book a confirmation are encouraged to contact my office this month to secure a date.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Ian Day welcomes any comments or suggestions you may have about the monthly Cycle of Prayer as he prepares to take over editorship in February. Ian can be contacted via email.
Ember Days
The next cycle of Ember Days begins on December 11th. Please pray for vocations to ministry and for those in training in the diocese, using the Embertide leaflet, and please ensure that all your congregations are aware of this important season and subject for prayer.
Esgobty Office Christmas Closure
The Office at Esgobty will close at 12 noon on Friday, December 20th and will reopen at 9am on Monday, January 6th, 2019. During the Christmas break please refer any matters of emergency to the Archdeacons in the first instance. Emails will be monitored but may not be actioned until the new year.
Lambeth Conference Hospitality
We are hoping to welcome six overseas bishops and their spouses to stay in the diocese from July 15th until the start of the Lambeth Conference on July 22nd. Thank you for the expressions of interest that have already been received from those who would like to be considered for hosting a bishop and her/his spouse during this time. Ideally we would like to accommodate the bishops in different parts of the diocese in order for them to discover the rich varieties of community that form the Teulu Asaph. Anyone else interested in helping in this way is asked to register their interest with Michael at Esgobty by December 19th.
Lent Prayer Cards
Orders are now invited from each mission area for the Lent 2020 Prayer Card which has been composed by Rachel and Andy Kitchen, who will be joining us in June as the leaders of the Hope Street project. Michael at Esgobty looks forward to receiving one order per mission area no later than Wednesday, January 8th. The prayer cards will be available for collection at the Clergy Synod day on January 23rd.
Open Doors
This charity works with Christians who are facing persecution in their own nations and communities. They recently held a successful evening in the Cathedral, highlighting Christian persecution in North Korea, and welcome churches as partners supporting their work in prayer. I commend their work highly, and invite the churches of the diocese to find out more about their work, and to consider becoming partner churches. Visit www.opendoorsuk.org to find out more.
In Christ,
